Category Archives: Historical Fiction

Over the last several weeks we have been using the book Heroes of History- Christopher Columbus from YWAM Publishing for studying history. This is part of the bestselling biographies from the Heroes of History Series by Janet & Geoff Benge. This series came highly recommended by other families we know and is highly recommended for christian schools and those homeschooling. These books could also be used for family study on christian heritage. They can be read by teens, parents and grandparents , but can be read also to younger children.

~ They make excellent chapter books for those age 10 and up ! ~

So what does a small town boy being raised in Genoa, by parents who were farmers of sheep being raised to be a weaver have to do with discovering the new world ? I am supposing that like every young boy Christopher , had a dream. This was one of the many things we learned while reading this book. We learned so much about Christopher Columbus, things we never learned before. From his boyhood adventures and growing up into manhood and getting married. This was the exciting part missed in much of public school learning, this is why I am so glad we homeschool and can chose the books we want to use for our children to learn from. But wither you homeschool or your kids are in public school, this series can be used to enhance your child’s learning experience !

Each book comes with a downloadable Unit Study for you to use to enhance the learning experience. In the Unit Study you will find fun activities that are educational. The introduction will help you as the Parent/Teacher to know what you may chose to use. Understanding your child’s learning styles. Using this guide for group or individual study. Understanding grade levels or individual ability of your student/students. It is very through in helping you plan and decide based on the needs of your student and yourself. Key Quotes you can use for memorization, meaning and display purposes. Ideas for setting up a display area , to show what the students are learning, with things to include based on your study. You will also find Chapter Questions for each chapter with page noted for where to find the answers, this is excellent to use with the students to recall facts and quiz them on what they remember. There is a section on Student Explorations where you will find ideas for Essay Questions, Creative Writing , Hands on Projects, Audio/Visual Products and Arts & Crafts ! Also there is a section on Community links to help you find local, state or federal resources and places for field trips to enjoy.

The Unit Study has words to use for vocabulary studies, as well as geographical terms and names for map studies in geography. Time Lines and Conceptual Questions. Related Themes to in Science, Current Issues, Geography, History and Math. A Section on Culminating Events, How to plan out something for the students to experience and show what they are learning or have learned.

You may also like the Homeschool Overview for Unit Study Curriculum Guides for comparing time periods and planning your History Studies. In the Start Here link you will find more fun and informative things in the information about the character you are reading about in your book, guides for small groups, classroom and homeschool. Links to the study guide, in our case part 1 & 2. A bonus section of puzzles , games and more fun ! A meet the authors section so you can get to know them and why they wrote these books. Reader Reviews on the book.

For us there was so much to use and do. We decided to use the book it self for reading daily and doing some of the history study by following up with some books from our library. This is really a full study and can become very in depth for all involved. Even for those young through the adults teaching or studying along.

I think next we will be using John Smith: A Foothold in the New World, as it is next in the series and I want to continue our study of history and family heritage for my kids ! They are so exciting , not only for the kids but for me also !

I hope you will consider using these wonderful books in your own studies and if you would like to read more of what the Homeschool Review Crew thought of this and many other books in the series, click on the graphic below !

The year is 1065. Edward the Confessor is King of England. Wulf, a young Saxon landholder, quickly earns respect from those he serves, through his devotion to duty, courage, and honor. But when Wulf and his devout Christian friend, Harold, find themselves shipwrecked on the shores of Normandy, a desperate struggle for the throne of England begins. On a battlefield outside of Hastings, the very course of history is decided. Brothers become enemies. A boy becomes a man. A nation is born.

My Review

I am excited today to be bringing you my review of Wulf the Saxon from Heirloom Audio Productions. We received this 2 CD Audio of this 2 1/2 hour Non-Stop Adventure for our honest review. It is rated for ages 6+ – Adult.

I can’t begin to tell you what an exciting adventure this was. My children ages 15, 14 and 10 listened intently as did my husband Mark and I. No matter what the age it was a great tale to be told !

( I would save this one for those over 6 years old, only due to the war and battle sounds and graphic description of battle tragedies, which may be scary to younger children.)

As the story begins, we wondered if this would be a sad story or one of true love as the relationships even friendships are quite intimate and loyal. You could really hear the the sincere care in the voices of all the characters and how they were genuinely concerned for one another. They really did what they thought was best for the other person and that shows sincere caring. The adventure was full of danger for those concerned and you could really sense the danger of the battle as we listened. I felt the pains of war as I listened. We also wondered for a long time if Harold would be able to have the love of his life or be forced to marry for the betterment of his country. Would true love reign or would it be cast aside ? Will he marry the love of his life ?

In many areas of life, we could see how Wulf was protected and provided for and it was a reminder to us of the way the Lord watches over and provides for us. Even in the hardest time during ones life when one chooses to do the right thing, it brings about a reward. Doing good to others even if they have not done good to you…

Wulf shows truly godly character in many ways he lives and how he treats others. Always a faithful servant and friend to all who know him.

While he is younger and not so worried about marrying, he meets a young lady who seems to like him, but he never seems show concern for his own life or living but his service is to that of his King and country. Will he ever take notice that the young lady cares about him ? Will she sidetrack him from his duties ? Surely there is a reason she is asking questions , wanting to know his thoughts on things. Years go by and Wulf grows in character and is promoted in station in life. He has many travels and opportunities. Will all this keep him from one day settling down ? Will he find his helpmeet for him ? Will he one day marry for love ? Will he find the woman who shares his dream?

I hope you will get a copy of this for your listening enjoyment !

I for one enjoyed the cast of characters and their voices as the story is told and the adventure plays out… this was a really fun and interesting story of history, that taught me things I had not learned before ! For me I wished it didn’t have to end !

It has peaked my interest in getting more G.A. Henty stories on cd and also the books for my children to listen to and enjoy reading.

About the Book

Book: The Newcomer

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Historical; Amish

Release Date: January 31

In 1737, Anna Konig and her fellow church members stagger off a small wooden ship after ten weeks at sea, eager to start a new life in the vibrant but raw Pennsylvania frontier. On the docks of Port Philadelphia waits bishop Jacob Bauer, founder of the settlement and father to ship carpenter Bairn. It’s a time of new beginnings for the reunited Bauer family, and for Anna and Bairn’s shipboard romance to blossom.

But this perfect moment cannot last. As Bairn grasps the reality of what it means to be Amish in the New World–isolated, rigid with expectations, under the thumb of his domineering father–his enthusiasm evaporates. When a sea captain offers the chance to cross the ocean one more time, Bairn grabs it. Just one more crossing, he promises Anna. But will she wait for him?

When Henrik Newman joins the church just as it makes its way to the frontier, Anna is torn. He seems to be everything Bairn is not–bold, devoted, and delighted to vie for her heart. And the most dramatic difference? He is here; Bairn is not.

Far from the frontier, an unexpected turn of events weaves together the lives of Bairn, Anna, and Henrik. When a secret is revealed, which true love will emerge?

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than a dozen novels, including Anna’s Crossing, The Bishop’s Family series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

Guest Post from Suzanne Woods Fisher

Pennsylvania of 1737, the setting for The Newcomer, is like a foreign country. Parts of it might seem familiar—the same hills and creeks and blue sky, but we’d hardly recognize the settlers. People like Anna, or Bairn, or the mysterious Newcomer. We wouldn’t be able to understand their language, their customs and traditions. Their world was that different from our modern one.

The first group of Amish immigrants (first written about in Anna’s Crossing and followed up in The Newcomer) settled northwest of Philadelphia, then a vast wilderness, and relied on each other for safety, security, building projects, and church. In nearby Germantown, settlers were tradesmen, so they clustered houses together in small knots. The Amish farmers took out land warrants for sizeable properties and lived considerable distances from each other.

In The Newcomer, Anna cooked food in a cauldron over a large hearth. One-pot meals can trace their beginnings to open-hearth cooking when ingredients for a meal went into a large kettle suspended over the fire. Traditional dishes—ham and beans, pork and sauerkraut—used sturdy, available, and simple ingredients that improved with long, slow cooking. The dishes could be easily expanded when the need arose to set a few more places at the table. And it did, often. Large families and unannounced company inspired Amish cooks to find ways to “stretch the stew.”

Noodles (including dumplings and rivvels) could be tossed into a simmering broth to make a meal stretch. Most farms had a flock of chickens, so eggs were easily at hand. Today, homemade noodles are still a favorite dish.

Another “stew stretcher” was cornmeal mush, originally eaten as a bread substitute. Early German settlers who made their home in eastern Pennsylvania roasted the yellow field corn in a bake oven before it was shelled and ground at the mill. The roasting process gave a nutty rich flavor to the cornmeal. Mush is still part of the diet the Old Order Amish—cooked and fried, baked, added into scrapple, smothered in ketchup. Dress it up and you’ve got polenta.

Now here’s one thing we do have in common with 1737 Pennsylvania immigrants…a love of good food and a shortage of time! Here’s one of my favorite one-pot recipes—probably not the kind of stew Anna might have made for ship carpenter Bairn or the mysterious Newcomer (ah, which man one stole her heart?)…but definitely delicious. Enjoy!

Lentil Chili

Here’s one of my favorite “stew stretchers.” You can expand it even more by serving over rice.

Overwhelmed by the responsibilities of running a ranch on her own, Laurel Tracey decides to hire a convict—a man who’s just scary enough to take care of squatters and just desperate enough to agree to a one year post.

The years following the war have been hard on Laurel Tracey. Both her brother and her father died in battle, and her mother passed away shortly after receiving word of their demise. Laurel has been trying to run her two hundred acre ranch as best she can.

When she discovers that squatters have settled in her north pasture and have no intention of leaving, Laurel decides to use the last of her money to free a prisoner from the local jail. If she agrees to offer him room and board for one year, he will have to work for her to pay off his debt.

Former soldier Thomas Baker knows he’s in trouble when he finds himself jailed because he couldn’t pay a few fines. Laurel’s offer might be his only ticket out. Though she’s everything he ever dreamed of in a woman—sweet and tender-hearted, yet strong—he’s determined to remain detached, work hard on her behalf, and count the days until he’s free again.

But when cattle start dying and the squatters damage a barn, Thomas realizes more than just his freedom is on the line. Laurel needs someone to believe in her and protect her property. And it isn’t long before Laurel realizes that Thomas Baker is far more than just a former soldier. He’s a trustworthy hero who’s survived a terrible past. He needs more than just his freedom, he needs her love and care too.

About the Author

I grew up in Houston, Texas, went to Colorado for college, and after living in Arizona, Dallas, and Denver, we moved to southern Ohio about ten years ago.

I’ve always thought of myself as a very hard worker, but not ‘great’ at anything. I’ve obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree…but I never was a gifted student. I took years of ballet and dance, but I never was anywhere near the star of any recital. I love to cook, but I’m certainly not close to being gourmet…and finally I love to write books, but I’ve certainly read far better authors.

Maybe you are a little bit like me. I’ve been married for almost twenty years and have raised two kids. I try to exercise but really should put on my tennis shoes a whole lot more. I’m not a great housekeeper, I hate to drive in the snow, and I don’t think I’ve ever won a Monopoly game. However, I am the best wife and mother I know how to be.

Isn’t it wonderful to know that in God’s eyes that is okay? That from His point of view, we are all exceptional? I treasure that knowledge and am always so thankful for my faith. His faith in me makes me stand a little straighter, smile a little bit more, and be so very grateful for every gift He’s given me.

I started writing about the Amish because their way of life appealed to me. I wanted to write stories about regular. likable people in extraordinary situations-and who just happened to be Amish.

Getting the opportunity to write Inspirational novels is truly gratifying. With every book, I feel my faith grows stronger. And that makes me feel very special indeed.

My Review

Although I did not read the first book in this series, I did not feel like I missed anything. I will of course go back and read the first book, just to gain some more history and understanding of the time and happenings. It is like meeting new friends and really until you get to know their history, you cannot always relate to why they do the things they do or think the way they think….

What an adventurous and sweet story ! Historical Fiction is one of my first loves in reading. I absolutely love Civil War Era stories. I think it is amazing when two people are put together in life not knowing that they could be exactly what each other needs. Laurel needs help on her ranch for sure after losing all her family. Will she find that help ? Will the man she chooses to help, help her ? Triumph through adversity in life makes for a real touching story.

Thomas seems like he is just counting his days till he is free, but I got the feeling while reading that God had other plans for both of them. Will he see that Laurel is everything he needs in life and in a woman ? He sure is a romantic at heart. He is also a hard worker. He has been through a lot and really needs someone to help him go on in life in faith and love. Will Laurel be that woman ?

If you love history and a sweet romance with some trials in life thrown in, you will love this book. I can’t wait to see what comes next in the lives of Laurel and Thomas !

I really love the way this story is so full of detail and it made me feel like I was right there on the ranch, living the story. Almost as if I was Laurel !

After being rescued from Confederate captivity, Olivia Burns has married her handsome rescuer—Union Captain Andrew Burns. A few days after their marriage, Andrew takes off to fight in the battle of Nashville and Olivia stays behind, waiting on word from her husband about where they will meet again.

When Andrew sends word that he hopes to meet her in Eastport, Mississippi, she travels down south. Their reunion is sweet and they spend a wonderful night together in a barn, but in the early morning of New Year’s Eve, they are abruptly disturbed by sounds of battle. Andrew must go back to the men of his company and leaves an anxious Olivia alone. Terrified to get captured again, she must learn to deal with her fear and emotions. When someone enters the barn where she is hiding, will her greatest nightmare come true?

My Review

Marian has done it again !!! If you love historical fiction like I do, well you will want to to pick up this wonderful novella and have a great read for yourself ! Murray has kept Marian writing for his Let Freedom Ring Civil War Series and what a great choice he made in selecting her to do so ! This sweet story will keep you on the edge of your seat ! The suspense just made it so I couldn’t put this book down. Will Olivia overcome her greatest fears ? Will Andrew return to her ? Will this war ever end ? Will their love be enough to overcome the ravages of war? Well, you will just have to head on over to amazon and pick up a copy and see for yourself !

Marian’s writing is wonderful, touching and she really knows how to tell a great story!

Linda

I received a copy of this wonderful book for my honest opinion and no further compensation was received for doing so.

Fields of the Fatherless

By Elaine Marie Cooper

In the early months of 1775, war is brewing in the American colonies. Although frightened, eighteen-year-old Betsy Russell (an ancestor to actor Kurt Russell) of Menotomy Village, Massachusetts, wants to be prepared in case of attack by British troops. Her father, prosperous farmer Jason, is the fourth generation of Russells on this land yet their very rights as British Colonials are being stripped away one by one. Will the King of England take their land as well? Tensions are growing here in the countryside west of Boston and the outbreak of battle seems a certainty. Jason desperately wants to protect his family his wife, children and grandchildren and their future. Betsy makes every attempt to be prepared for the worst. But not even the American militia could have predicted the bloody massacre that was about to occur right on the Russells doorstep. If Betsy loses everything she holds dear, are the rights of all the Colonists endangered?

I had never read any of Elaines books , so this was my first ! But it will not be my last that is for sure and for certain. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical accuracy in the book and I am compelled me to delight in reading it to my children for history as we homeschool. I so loved any and all tender moments between characters. Very tastefully written and today morals and edict are much needed. Godly Character and moral value are throughout the book and I am very pleased with all I read therein. I am so glad that I was introduced to Elaine on Colonial Quills with Carrie Fancett Pagals hosting a tea party for her. I am now so longing to read Deer Run Series. Some stories just take your breath away and bring the desire for more good reading from that author and this is one of those stories. You will want to read more of her wonderful works, if you have not done so already. I could not put it down, I had to keep reading. It is inspiring and I believe if more folks read such works, they would see what things should and could be like today !

A Little About Me…

Bible Believer, Christ Follower, Mamma to Seven wonderfully talented children... Grandmamma to 11 awesome grandchildren... Each child is a true blessing in my life. I cannot wait to have more! I am an Author, Artist, Poet, Lover of Country Living, Country Victorian Things and when not found reading historical fiction, I am reading about herbs.

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